Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
Like Ari and Dante, Simon navigates first love and coming out with warmth and humour, and his supportive yet imperfect family will appeal to readers who loved the Mendoza and Quintana parents.
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Find Similar BooksAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Children's Books
★★★★★5.0 (4)
A quiet, emotionally precise novel about two Mexican American teenagers in El Paso whose slow friendship helps each of them face silence, family wounds, and who they are.
What It's About
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a coming-of-age novel set in El Paso in 1987. Ari is a guarded fifteen-year-old who keeps people at a distance, partly because of his brother's absence and the tension at home. Dante is open, talkative, and comfortable with feelings Ari has never learned to name. Their friendship forms slowly, through long conversations, shared time at the pool, and small moments of trust.
Sáenz writes in a plain, unhurried style. Much of the book is about what characters don't say, and the reader is asked to notice the gaps between words, glances, and silences. The prose is spare but warm, and the chapters often feel like scenes from a life rather than a plot driven by events. Nothing here is rushed for suspense. The pleasure comes from watching two boys learn to be honest with each other.
Reading it is a quiet, absorbing experience that leaves room for reflection. It works well for teenagers and for adults who want a tender, character-centred story about family, loneliness, and the kind of friendship that quietly changes a person's direction.
Read this if you…
- want a tender, character-driven coming-of-age story about two boys finding each other
- are interested in Mexican American life on the border and in questions of family and identity
- enjoy quiet books where the emotional payoff comes from small moments rather than plot twists
Skip it if you…
- need fast-paced plot, with clear stakes and steady escalation
- prefer your novels to be mostly about external action rather than inner life and conversation
Key Ideas
- 1
Friendship as a route to self-knowledge
Ari's bond with Dante is the engine of the novel, but it is less about adventure than about what happens when someone patiently pays attention to you. Dante's curiosity and willingness to ask questions gradually draws Ari out of his defensiveness. The book suggests that many people need one person who makes it safe to be honest before they can understand themselves at all.
- 2
Family absence and the cost of silence
Ari's brother is absent from daily life, and the household has learned to avoid talking about what happened. Sáenz shows how unspoken grief can harden into anger and withdrawal. The novel treats silence not as neutral but as something families and individuals pay for, often for years.
- 3
Masculinity, emotion, and the limits of toughness
Ari has built his identity around not showing feeling, a stance he seems to think is required of him as a young man. The story questions whether this armour protects anyone. Dante's easier relationship with emotion becomes a quiet challenge to the expectations Ari has absorbed from home and from the wider culture.
- 4
Cultural identity in a border city
El Paso, with its Mexican American community and its proximity to Juárez, is more than a backdrop. Ari and Dante navigate expectations from family, school, and neighbourhood about language, belonging, and what it means to be from here. Sáenz gives these questions texture without turning them into lectures.
- 5
Language, writing, and making meaning
Dante's love of words and his interest in writing give the novel a reflective undercurrent. Characters often reach for language to make sense of confusing feelings. The book invites readers to consider how writing and conversation help people turn experience into understanding.
Limitations
Some readers find the pacing slow, and the story moves through long stretches of everyday routine and talk. The emotional restraint that many admire can also feel distant to readers who want more dramatic release. The novel's focus on Ari's inner world means some secondary characters remain sketched rather than fully developed. Because the book is marketed as children's fiction, some adult readers may find its themes handled more gently than they expected.
Questions Readers Ask
- Is Aristotle and Dante suitable for teenagers?
- Yes. It is written for young readers and deals with teenage friendship, family strain, and questions of identity in a direct but careful way. Its themes of loneliness and self-acceptance tend to resonate strongly with teens. Parents should know that the book addresses sexuality and emotional struggle with honesty, so it may be worth reading alongside a younger teen if you want to talk about it together.
- Is this book still relevant today?
- Many readers find it still relevant, especially for its portrayal of silence, grief, and the pressure on young men to hide feelings. The specific 1980s setting shapes daily details, but the emotional core is not tied to a particular decade. Its focus on being understood by someone who is willing to listen remains timeless.
What Creators Say About Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Reviews from readers on YouTube. Their opinions are their own.
- Published
- 2012
- ISBN
- 9781442408920
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Children's Books
Book details and cover from Google Books.
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